A casino is a place where people can go to gamble. It can also be a place that provides food, drinks and entertainment. Most casinos are built near hotels, and many are combined with other attractions, such as golf courses or theme parks. There are more than 1,000 casinos in the United States, with most of them located in Las Vegas and Atlantic City. Casinos can also be found in some other cities, such as Chicago and Seattle.
While gambling probably predates recorded history, the casino as a place to find a variety of ways to gamble under one roof did not emerge until the 16th century, when a gambling craze swept Europe and Italian aristocrats hosted private parties at their houses called ridotti to celebrate their victories in games such as dice, baccarat and roulette. Most casino games have an element of skill, and some (such as poker) are governed by specific rules. The house edge—the house’s advantage over the player—is mathematically determined by those rules.
Because large amounts of cash are handled within a casino, both patrons and staff may be tempted to cheat or steal, either in collusion or independently. For this reason, casinos spend a significant amount of money on security. In addition to the obvious physical measures (security cameras throughout the property), some casinos have catwalks that allow surveillance personnel to look down, through one-way glass, on activities at tables and slot machines. Casinos also have helplines for compulsive gamblers and other support resources.